Is It Time Yet?

Is It Time Yet?

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

What an exciting thought: “When the time had fully come, God sent His Son” (Gal. 4:4 NIV ). For centuries, which grew darker and darker, the God’s faithful people waited for the promised Redeemer who would reign, according to the prophet Isaiah, as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” And he went on to say that “of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end. He will reign ... with justice and righteousness, from that time on and forever” (Isa. 9:6-7). But when would that time fully come? When would He come?

It’s not too difficult for us today to identify with the yearning expressed in the Old Testament prophecies, for a Redeemer who would come to deliver His people from the trouble that surrounded them. In many ways, we too live in similar times. While there are a few bright spots of hope, they are quickly overshadowed by the dark clouds of selfishness, misery, despair, war and destruction.

But there is one big difference between then and now – the time has come! And all who believe, that “God sent His Son ... that we might receive the full rights of sons,” can sing with Phillips Brooks, the writer of the Christmas carol, that “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” The time is yet to come when our Lord will actually reign on this earth for 1000 years in the way described by Isaiah and the other prophets.

But the time is here and now for each of us to receive that “peace of God, which transcends all understanding,” that peace “which will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). We can enjoy Him now if we accept Him as the One sent to redeem us from our sins. We can tell you how!

By Larry Ondrejack